On a chazzing mission last week I almost passed out when I spotted this dress displayed on the mannequin in the window of the £1 charity shop.
Throughout the 1970s Kate Beaver worked with her partner, artist Robin Rae, from their Dorset home screen printing fabric by hand and creating amazing period-inspired dresses. I've found a few on-line but definitely think this colour combo is my favourite.
 |
| 1970s Kate Beaver hand printed maxi (£1, charity shop) |
If that wasn't enough charity shop excitement for one day I spotted this maxi in the same shop.
I can't find anything about The Dove Clothing Company but I'm pretty sure it must have belonged to the same person who donated the Kate Beaver. They're of the same era, pretty similar in 1970s hippy style and exactly the same size (mine!)
If Jon hadn't already padlocked the backpacks I'd have been tempted to take them to India but they've been treated them to a night out in Wetherspoons and a trip to B&Q so they'll just have to wait till I'm back.
 |
| 1970s maxi by The Dove Clothing Company (£1, charity shop) |
Hope your Xmas was everything you wanted it to be.
Ours featured a spectacular Indian feast (that's my starter, a tower of vegetable pakoras) and Nordic Noir film marathon. Shockingly we've not drunk very much, hardly eaten any cheese and I've been on the Wii Fit every day. We've got an entire month of hedonism just around the corner.
See you soon!
Ours featured a spectacular Indian feast (that's my starter, a tower of vegetable pakoras) and Nordic Noir film marathon. Shockingly we've not drunk very much, hardly eaten any cheese and I've been on the Wii Fit every day. We've got an entire month of hedonism just around the corner.
See you soon!
I love the kate beaver dress , Its so you , We had a quiet christmas , Cant wait to get back to jumbles in the new yaer , I did drink a lot though , I need to step up the fitness when i have seen about my ticker , Happy new yaer vix and John and have a fabulous holiday xxx
ReplyDeleteAdorable!
ReplyDeleteOh my, those two dresses are perfect for you. The orange and blue print is especially fantastic. You win again. You're doing preventative fitness for India. Good idea, you don't want to think about doing anything while on vacation. tra la.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the jackpot! Both dresses are simply incredible.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I find a great vintage item at the charity shop, I scour the store for other items the same person donated.
Stacked veg pakoras - yum!
Happy New Year to you and Jon. xx
Such great finds! They are truly perfect for you. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat a bit of beaver! Hee! Lowering the tone already but I couldn't resist!
ReplyDeleteI know I always write this, but those dresses look as though they were meant for you to find. I bet you had palpitations when you saw those. My favourite has to be the Dove dress - just love the style and colour.
xxx
not bad for 2pounds.
ReplyDeleteWow, nice finds! They both look great on you. I also like what I can see of the dress you're wearing for Christmas dinner. The stack of pacoras looks very good too. We had friends over for dinner the weekend before Christmas and Nick cooked us up an Indian feast. You guys would have fit in perfectly, both for your company and for the food.
ReplyDeleteThose beautiful dresses will give you something to look forward to when you leave India, but I'm glad you were able to give them a wear before leaving.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm inspired to try my hand at screen printing some clothes. I remember building a frame a million years ago and doing stationary, and that sort of thing, but your dress really has me thinking of a summer wardrobe.
Have a wonderful trip and we'll be thinking of you enjoying the beach.
Gorgeous frocks
ReplyDeleteGorgeous lady
Have a wonderful holiday - looking forwards to the pictorial already :)) xx
How lovely to find a kindred spirit in the thrift store. That first dress is so beautiful and the most Vicki-est of Vix dresses ever. You are astounding. Have a wonderful vacay.
ReplyDeleteFantastic these two dresses, the first one is a masterpiece (I now I would like for me too !!!), but the second is very nice and, both, you are perfectly! They are very beautiful even your jewelry .. and the appetizer Indian ?! Hmmmm!
ReplyDeleteYou have spent a good Christmas, I'm happy! Even here we enjoyed it, especially peaceful .. and we have seen science fiction movies .. out of the house there is only the fog!
Both are beautiful - great finds! And a fantastic price. India is right around the corner!!!! Happy New Years to you and John.
ReplyDeletethis dresses are real beauties! and how gorgeous do they look on you! fabulous find!!!
ReplyDeletethe pakora tower looks delicious :-)
xxxxxxx
What finds! I cannot believe the price!
ReplyDeleteI like the look of your veggie plate.
Hope you have a wonderful New Year! Are you going to be in India for it?
Have a safe, relaxing trip.
bisous
Suzanne
I love that orange and blue dress...and the brown maxi dress is so fabulous. You're always an inspiration gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant finds, lovely. There's something so evocative about screen printed fabrics. I love the idea of all those cottage indistries that popped up in the Seventies to make some beautiful textiles.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good one.
Loves ya.
xxxxx
It's a chazzing triumph!! Two gorgeous maxis. I'm glad you are the one who found them. The orange one makes me faint. Christmas is a great time to explore my city, crazy busy streets followed by ghost town. I discovered a big-box thrift shop, but really nothing compares to thrift boutiques.
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Vix! I love them both, but am partial to the second one - there was a young woman (married to a Vietnam vet, they had a few little ones that I babysat once in awhlie) who lived next door to my family when I was in my early teens who wore dresses and shirts like that, and I thought she was the cats pyjamas!
ReplyDeletexox
OMG vix! Those dresses are what dreams are made of. I want to move to UK and find lil treasures like this <3
ReplyDeleteExcellent finds there Vix!! Both are so perfect for you and how convenient that they both are your size, means they are keepers and not stock!!
ReplyDeleteOh Vix
ReplyDeleteThey both look wonderful and so lovely on you. I particularly like the orange one and what a lovely print - and only a squid! Chazza heaven to be sure!
Have a fab time time and look forward to your posts on return.
Happy New Year to you and Jon xxx
Veronica
Vronni60s.blogspot.com
They must definitely have been donated by the same person - and they found their perfect owner in you! x
ReplyDeletewow, both dresses are beautiful and lucky you your size!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought you had already left for India,,
safe journey,, take lots of photos,,
Oooh, I really love these!!! they are beautiful! We had an Indian veggie feast on Boxing Day!xx
ReplyDeleteWhat fab dresses. I made one very similar to the brown one, same shape and similar fabric, that was back in 1972!
ReplyDeleteI'd be distracting Jon and sneaking it in the hand luggage!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just hit the jackpot when you go second hand shopping don't you! Both these dresses are fabulous, but I am particularly taken with the second one, all those pretty frills! Looks like you had a lovely Christmas xo
ReplyDeleteAmazing dresses!
ReplyDeleteLove that screen printed dress. I've been wanting to make some Indian/mehendi inspired tapestry pillows, screen printing a mehendi design on some tapestry canvas would be so much easier than hand painting them.
The Holly Hobby ruffled dressin that tiny earth tone lotus print is just gorgeous on you also!
Namaste from Nepal!
(Do come see us in Nepal if you can!!!)
calmlycookingcurry.blogspot.com
Two really lucky finds in one place! I hadn't heard of Kate Beaver (maybe out of my price range in the 70s, it looks like high end), this is my favourite, it's fabulous - the colours and the thought that it's been hand printed too - it looks great on you. maybe you could squeeze it under something on the flight to India with the excuse of needing an extra layer? it seems a shame it can't come but will look great with a tan on your return. Betty
ReplyDeleteAnd your hair is perfect for them!
ReplyDeleteXo Jazzy Jack
Loving the two maxi dresses, great finds
ReplyDeleteThose maxi dresses are both amazing, what fantastic finds. The colours on the first are lovely and really suit you too. Glad you had a lovely Christmas, the curry and film marathon sounds fun. I have been trying not to overdo it with the food over Christmas and have tried to go along to as many exercise classes as were running. I am pleased to say I feel so much better for it.
ReplyDeleteI just love your blogs so much Vix- they usually make me laugh out loud at some point. Heading and content are both witty and sooo descriptive - I could imagine you just about passing out upon spotting the hippy- tastic maxi. Also really enjoy your photos. Always a good day when there's a Vix post to enjoy. Thanks for the effort you put into these Vix. And have a wonderful break away from the routine of everyday life. Xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress both of which I would have snapped up too. You and Jon have worked hard and solid this year your trip sounds well deserved. I look forward as always to hearing about your travels and adventures. Travel safe Vix. X
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you got those beautiful dresses for one dollar each - it's too bad you can't stuff one of them into your knapsack for India. You must be getting soooo excited about leaving for Goa! Wishing you safe travels and lots of relaxing on warm beaches.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finds! Have a fab holiday!
ReplyDeleteThose are bloody lovely dresses. I have never heard of "Kate Beaver". I always learn so much reading this blog. They look fabulous on and I am surprisingly swayed by the brown. Marvellous. Your Christmas sounds great. I would have loved to go for a curry. I did mention that you were and what a good idea it was so may escape the kitchen next year. It was quiet and fairly "dry" here too. Talking of which I hope that you are not affected by the flooding. It has been so terrible for everyone. Very sad. Stay safe. Xx
ReplyDeleteWow, fab finds! I'd never have imagined you in brown, but you really rock it. Glad your Christmas was a good 'un.
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic dresses! Wouldn't you love to know who donated them, and what stories they could tell? Jon is very strict, isn't he, I think the Kate Beaver dress would adore a little jaunt to India....
ReplyDeleteGood to know you spent the festive period doing exactly what you felt like doing, and now it's nearly time to leave the wet and wild UK for fabulous Goa. Have a brilliant time - happy new year! xxx
Yikes, need to get my act together and comment before you get on a jet plane and fly the hell out of this rainy, windswept island. Oh those dresses are amazing, and for one squid each, that is just the best. Love that long sleeved orange one so much! If it doesn't make it this time, there's always next time :) what can I say? Have a blast, enjoy having the sun on your back, luxuriate in all the colour and come back in Feb with loads of photos and stories to make us all dream. Take care Vix and happy new year xxxxx
ReplyDeleteCosmic frocks! They were made for you! I'm sure the punters at B&Q appreciated being treated to a glimpse, makes a change from tracky bottoms and builders bums. The pakoras look divine, not long now until you'll be eating the real deal. Have loads of fun and sun... happy new year!
ReplyDeletexxx
Hi Vix,
ReplyDeleteLOVE the dresses!
Good on you for "saving yourself" for the hedonism in India. Go hard when you're there!
Unfortunately this is one of the worst times of the year for me - you go away & I can't read your blog! No bright colours, fab attitude and updates in "real" life. Enjoy your well earned rest, and see you on the other side!
DeeJay in Wellington
That first dress is an amazing find and suits you to a 'T'. I love the second one, such a pretty print.
ReplyDeleteTrusting you enjoyed the 'festive fling' and that trip away hits the spot. You've been so crazy busy you both need a bloody good dose of sun and warmth. (Ok...and food and booze!!).
Have a blinking good time and an amazing 2016. See you next year! We must!!
Zxx
What gorgeous dresses, you always find such great stuff. Happy new year to you and Jon! xx
ReplyDeleteI love that Brown maxi dress, Vix. It is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteGah, still having all the luck I see! That orange one especially is gorgeous. Am guessing you're already away in India? Happy New Year!
ReplyDeletex
WHAt a pair of finds - not surprised you nearly passed out, and a quid! I know you will be spending the early part of 2016 very happily indeed, so when I say' Happy new year' to you and Jon, I can be absolutely certain that it will be indeed.
ReplyDeleteLove the detail of the padlocked backpacks too...
Oh the brown dress is so beautiful! You look gorgeous in it! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a glorious dress. Your Indian feast sounds amazing. Happy New Year! x
ReplyDeleteOooh love it - we're delighted to see the 70s revival continue on the 2016 catwalks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful maxis, Vix. Wishing you all the best for the New Year and a fabulous trip to India. Looking forward to following you in 2016!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you both!! What amazing finds, like they were waiting for you. That starter looks tasty, I could eat that right now xx
ReplyDeleteThat Kate Beaver dress is a dream! Love love love it on you. Happy New Year, Vix! Happy new journeys!
ReplyDeleteDang it I want those top two dresses! I'm so jealous, I'm shaking!
ReplyDeleteLovely dresses! What a great find! If I find one awesome garment in my size, I work on the presumption that a whole bagfull came in to the chazzer and hunt harder.
ReplyDeleteHappy New year Vix! xxx
Loving both dresses lovely you always look gorgeous in what you wear. If you haven't gone already have a wonderful holiday and look forward to hearing all about it when you return, dee xx
ReplyDeletemagnificent finds!, and they fit your style like a dream!, fabulous dresses and you're looking gorgeous wearing them!
ReplyDeletebesos
Oh your ability to pick these wonders up never ceases to amaze me. They are both wonderful! The Indian feast sounds (and looks) amazing, and definitely a good way to do Christmas! Mine was very soggy but fun in all other respects. I guess you must be about to go or are already in India, either way I hope it's wonderful and you come back feeling rejuvenated! XXXX
ReplyDeleteCome home. I miss your blog.
ReplyDeleteKate Beaver! You lucky gal. I was eyeing a gorgeous frock by the same maker on the Oxfam website, for substantially more. Another lovely piece if history there, and for a pound! Happy New Year. Xox
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas beautiful Vix! I was just thinking I expect you were off on your travels to India. I can't wait to see all your lovely pics when you get back.
ReplyDeleteThose maxi dresses are divine! I love the colours of them both, and particularly that striking print on the first one. It's a beauty! You look fabulous in it, I'm not surprised you wanted to take it away but I am looking forward to seeing the lovely looks you do wear there!
My brother went over to the island of Kiribati for a month just before Christmas to do some work with their football team and he had an amazing time, and brought back lots of printed scarves and shell jewellery as christmas gifts, which was super lovely. Made me think of you off on your trip-I'm sure you're having the best time!
Lots of love Amie xxxx
Credit Crunch Chic
Perfection! Both maxis look outrageously gorgeous on you. The Kate Beaver colors are amazing.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for your next adventure in India! And happy New Year to you and Jon!
Gorgeous finds! I love charity shops, and I love vintage!
ReplyDeleteTHAT DRESS!!! So fabulous. Glad your bags are packed and by now you're undoubtedly frolicking in next to nothing. LOVE YOU and looking forward to seeing you when you get back. XO
ReplyDeleteHope you're having an amazing time in India. Can't wait to read about it! Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finds!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a blast in Goa...looking forward to reading all about it on your return :-)
Belated happy New Year!
Oh my goodness Dove's Clothing Company, back in the seventies they were my absolutely favourite shop, l never thought l'd see any of their stuff again, it makes me very happy to see you modelling that dress ��
ReplyDeleteSo as far as l rememberDove's Clothing Company were a small independent clothing company that either made or imported very distinctive hippy togs, I could always spot one of their prints, they were like a darker and more funky Laura Ashley! The shop that I knew was in Dove St !, Norwich , l always wondered if the name of the shop and company were linked or a happy coincidence, they must have shut down in Norwich some time in the eighties, but they declined into the West of Norfolk, to the small market town of Swaffham, but l think they only lasted a few years there, and it has been many many years since I have seen that label!
Their clothing was as l've said very much on hippy/Indian/boho lines, but with a rather English twist, lots of leaf prints and natural fabrics. That brown dress was one of their main colours, l loved it but it never suited my colouring, however they also majored in a slate grey/blue and l had a velvet skirt and top in that which was probably my favourite ever outfit.
Hi!! If you ever decide to part with the dove clothing company dress I’d be super interested thank you!! 😊
ReplyDeleteI sold it years ago!
Deleteahh sad i miss it!! I collect them myself too and am always on the hunt for more!!
DeleteJust seen this! I worked in Dove’s Clothing Company in Dove St Norwich in ‘73/74. The clothes and fabrics were simply beautiful, locally made- I think the designer and manufacturer was called Tristram. The clothes were sold downstairs, and upstairs was the fabric shop. Laura Ashley were just opposite- they were far frillier and more pastel- Dove’s fabric and design was very restrained, lovely muted colours. I still have a couple of them and treasure the quality and design X
ReplyDelete